This blog includes text and images drawn from historical sources that may contain material that is offensive or harmful. We strive to accurately represent the past while being sensitive to the needs and concerns of our audience. If you have any feedback to share on this topic, please either comment on a relevant post, or use our Ask Us form to contact us.

This Week in Princeton History for October 7-13


In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the first mass-market personal computer is sparking discussion on campus, administrators warn of insufficient funds to pay the faculty, and more.

October 8, 1985—Macintosh puts on a microcomputer fair, “Applefest,” in the Engineering Quadrangle to promote the new Apple Macintosh, the first mass-market personal computer. Some students, like Carlo Cannell ’86, are not impressed, especially considering their price tag of roughly $2,000 (close to $5,000 in 2019). “A Macintosh is certainly a nifty typewriter, but is it really that much better than a 35 dollar used Sears manual?”

This ad from the October 8, 1985 Daily Princetonian was one of many similar ads that appeared in the paper in the fall of 1985. (Click to enlarge.)

October 10, 1958—Over 20 million viewers tune in to CBS to watch Edward R. Murrow’s live interview with Princeton president Robert Goheen from Prospect House for Person-to-Person.

The Goheens wait with a CBS cameraman on October 9, 1958. Photo from the Daily Princetonian.

October 12, 1948—In a pamphlet distributed to every undergraduate, Princeton University outlines a financial predicament: There is insufficient revenue to pay faculty salaries.

“How Rich is Princeton?” (1948) warned that faculty who had to take second jobs, as some professors had begun to do, were at a professional disadvantage that would ultimately compromise undergraduate education. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 259, Folder 6

October 13, 1964—The Daily Princetonian reports that last spring’s “McCosh Hall Putsch” has succeeded in eradicating the pro-segregationist student group, the Council for Racial Reconciliation, from campus.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.


Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.